Vessel support device and method of vessel harvesting

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

1 . A system for harvesting a section of a vessel from surrounding tissue, the system comprising:
 a cutting device adapted to surround the vessel along the section of the vessel and adapted to be moved along the section of the vessel in order to cut the surrounding tissue;   a catheter adapted to be inserted into the section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel; and   a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catheter is a balloon catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catheter is coupled to a guidewire that is inserted into the vessel before the catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  and further comprising a tensioning device coupled to the cannula to hold an end of the vessel in tension while the cutting device is advanced along the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catheter includes at least one lumen adapted to be coupled to at least one fluid source. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  and further comprising a handle adapted to be removeably coupled to a proximal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  and further comprising a rod adapted to be positioned within the catheter and adapted to be attached to the handle. 
     
     
         8 . A method of harvesting a section of a vessel from surrounding tissue, the method comprising:
 making a first incision at a proximal end of the section of the vessel;   making a second incision at a distal end of the section of the vessel;   inserting a cannula into the proximal end of the vessel;   securing the proximal end of the vessel to the cannula;   inserting a catheter through the cannula and into the section of the vessel;   orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter; and   advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  and further comprising inserting a guidewire through the vessel before making the second incision. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  and further comprising inserting a guidewire through the vessel so that a first end of the guidewire extends beyond the proximal end of the vessel and a second end of the guidewire extends beyond the distal end of the vessel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the catheter is a balloon catheter and further comprising inflating the balloon catheter to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  and further comprising attaching a tensioning device to the cannula before advancing the cutting device over the cannula. 
     
     
         13 . An intravascular balloon catheter for use in supporting a section of a vessel being harvested from surrounding tissue with a cutting device, the catheter comprising:
 a balloon including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being plugged, the distal end including a routing neck, the balloon adapted to be inflated in the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced along the vessel; and   a stylet coupled to the routing neck of the balloon, the stylet including a flexible tip and a coiled wire adapted to navigate through the vessel in order to position the balloon in the section of the vessel.   
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 13  and further comprising a flexible sheath covering the balloon. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14  wherein the flexible sheath expands with the balloon when the balloon is inflated. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 14  wherein the flexible sheath helps deflate the balloon into a low profile configuration so that the balloon can be removed from the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 13  wherein the balloon is inflated with saline solution. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 13  wherein the flexible tip minimizes damage to walls of the vessel. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 13  wherein a proximal end of the stylet is positioned within the routing neck of the balloon. 
     
     
         20 . A cannula for use in harvesting a section of a vessel, the cannula adapted to be coupled to a tensioning device, the cannula comprising:
 a distal tip adapted to be inserted into and secured to a proximal end of the section of the vessel;   a valve adapted to prevent fluid flow out of the proximal end of the section of the vessel, the valve positioned in a proximal end of the cannula;   a tension-coupling member in the proximal end of the cannula, the tension-coupling member including at least one groove adapted to receive at least one raised bump of a tensioning device member adapted to be coupled to the tensioning device.   
     
     
         21 . The cannula of  claim 20  wherein the valve is one of a bileaflet valve and a duckbill valve. 
     
     
         22 . The cannula of  claim 20  wherein the distal tip includes an angled portion. 
     
     
         23 . The cannula of  claim 20  wherein a first diameter of the distal tip is smaller than a second diameter of the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         24 . The cannula of  claim 20  wherein the valve is positioned between the distal tip and the tension-coupling member. 
     
     
         25 . The cannula of  claim 20  wherein the distal tip includes a ridge around which sutures can be wrapped to secure the cannula to the proximal end of the section of the vessel.